Current Programs

Gain a qualification from the comfort of your own home
Bhaktivedanta College offers a dynamic, convenient way to learn. Under the motto “Swift access towards lifetime success!”, the Online Faculty provides innovative, easy-to-access programmes, focussing on the relevance of ethics and spirituality today. The vibrant online community includes 3,500 registered users from 90 countries.

Online classes give you the opportunity to earn your degree in a way that fits your schedule and your lifestyle. Complete this checklist to help decide if studying online would be an option for you.

I want to gain a qualification and am able to commit time each day or week towards this study.

I have regular access to a computer with an Internet connection (see technical requirements for a list of minimum requirements).

I am motivated to learn and can work on my own.

I enjoy connecting with other people online and can express my views in writing.

I am comfortable asking questions when I have a problem or concern, and would be able to seek help from a tutor by emailing, phoning or using an online request form.

I have basic word processing skills and am able to save and locate files on a computer.

I am able to send and receive email messages and attachments.

I can use an Internet browser to navigate the Internet and locate information.

If you answered ‘Yes’ to most of these statements, then studying online could be for you!

In general, the online student should possess the following qualities:

Open mindedness about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process.

Ability to communicate through writing.

Self-motivation and self-discipline.

Willingness to "speak up" if problems arise.

Willingness and ability to commit to 4 to 15 hours per week per course.

Ability to meet the minimum requirements for the program.

Ability to accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.

Have access to a computer and a modem.

Ability to think ideas through before responding.

Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.

An online student will be expected to:

Participate in the virtual classroom 5-7 days a week

Be able to work with others in completing projects if needed

Be willing to use the technology properly

Be able to meet the minimum standards as set forth by the institution

Be able to complete assignments on time

Enjoy communicating in writing.

An online course is much like a traditional, face-to-face course in that it follows a schedule and syllabus and that assignments and quizzes are expected, usually due by certain dates. You are responsible for reading the textbooks and handouts and completing all class learning activities on their own, but the big difference in an online course is that you can do the work any time of day and, typically, any day of the week. Instead of attending lectures, you will access course content (PowerPoint presentations, video demonstrations, assignments, papers, other web sites, etc.) via the internet. Here are some guidelines for success that prospect students should be aware of:

Take full advantage of online conferencing.

Whatever you can do to avoid feeling isolated is extremely important, and participating in online conferences will give you access to other students who are taking the same course as you at the same time.

Participate!

Whether you are working alone, or in a group, contribute your ideas, perspective and comments on the subject you are studying, and read about those of your classmates. Your instructor is not the only source of information in your course—you can gain great insight from your peers and they can learn from you as well.

Take the program and yourself seriously.

Elicit the support of your colleagues, family and friends before you start out on your online adventure. This built-in support system will help you tremendously since there will be times when you will have to sit at your computer for hours at a stretch in the evenings and on weekends. When most people are through with work and want to relax is most likely when you will be bearing down on your course work. It helps to surround yourself with people who understand and respect what you are trying to do.

Make sure you have a private space where you can study.

This will help lend importance to what you are doing as well. Your own space where you can shut the door, leave papers everywhere, and work in peace is necessary. If you try to share study space with the dining room or bedroom, food or sleep will take priority over studying.

Become a true advocate of distance learning.

Discuss the merits of the process with whoever will listen. In order to be successful in this new educational environment, you must truly believe in its potential to provide quality education which is equal to, if not better than the traditional face-to-face environment. In discussing the value of online learning, you will reinforce it’s merits for yourself.

Log on to your course every single day.

….or a minimum of 5-6 days a week. Once you get into the online conferencing system, you will be eager to see who has commented on your postings and read the feedback of your instructor and peers. You will also be curious to see who has posted something new that you can comment on. If you let too many days go by without logging on to your course discussion group, you will get behind and find it very difficult to catch up.

Take advantage of your anonymity.

One of the biggest advantages of the online format is that you can pursue your studies without the judgments typical in a traditional classroom. Unless you are using video conferencing, no one can see you – there are no stereotypes, and you don’t have to be affected by raised eyebrows, rolled eyeballs, other students stealing your thunder, or people making other non verbal reactions to your contributions. You don’t have to feel intimidated or upstaged by students who can speak faster than you because you can take all of the time you need to think your ideas through and compose a response before posting your comments to your class.

Be polite and respectful.

Just because you are anonymous, doesn’t mean you should let yourself go. Remember, you are dealing with real people on the other end of your modem. Being polite and respectful is not only common sense, it is absolutely obligatory for a productive and supportive online environment. In a positive online environment, you will feel valued by your instructor, valued by your classmates and your own work will have greater value as well.

Speak up if you are having problems.

Remember that your professor cannot see you, so you must be absolutely explicit with your comments and requests. If you are having technical difficulties, or problems understanding something about the course, you MUST speak up otherwise there is no way that anyone will know that something is wrong. Also, if you don’t understand something, chances are several people have the same question. If another student is able to help you, he/she probably will, and if you are able to explain something to your classmates in need, you will not only help them out, you will reinforce your own knowledge about the subject.

Apply what you learn.

Apply everything you learn as you learn it and you will remember it more readily. If it is possible, take the things you learn in your online course today and use them in your workplace tomorrow. Also, try to make connections between what you are learning and what you do or will do in your job. Contributing advice or ideas about the real-world as it applies to the subject matter you are studying helps you to internalize what you are learning, and gives valuable insight to your classmates who will benefit from your experience.

Adopted from Illinois Online Network (ION)

Here is the process we use for examining and marking our Bhaktivedanta College online courses. First and foremost, throughout the duration of the course your active participation is essential. The online teaching format that we use allows the teacher to closely monitor the time that students spend on the materials provided for their use. Throughout the course, each week you are required to:

Lectures are recorded and are accessible 24/7, so students from all parts of the world can access them at their own conveniance, anytime and anywhere. Even if there are webinars for some of the modules they will be recorded for later.

Refund for any online module or full program (like Bhakti Sastri PLUS) is possible only during the first 7 days of the module. To request a refund, please contact our secretary at secretary@bhaktivedantacollege.com. Refund for any module which has been given at discounted price, including Bhakti Sastri PLUS (which is discounted price for 6 modules) or self-study options, is non-refundable.

Another option is to postpone the studies for a later date. For more info on postponing, please follow this link.

After 7 days, if we don’t get any statement from the student, it is considered that s/he has taken the course and refund or transferring is not possible anymore. Those who didn’t pass the closed-book exam (including those who didn’t take it) can take the whole course again at later time after paying administrative fee of 25 EUR. Admistrative fee for Bhaktivaibhava course is 100 EUR.

OLD REFUND POLICY

Those who started their studies before November 26th 2015 fall within the old refund policies:

If students who sign up for a particular online module or complete program are unable to take up the module due to some unavoidable circumstance, they should communicate with the online course administrator via email. During the first week of any online module it is possible to request transfer to the same module on the next scheduled delivery, free of charge. Changes after seven days are not possible without paying administrative fee of 50% from the tuition fee of a particular module. In general full program payments (Bhakti Sastri) are not refundable since they are discounted.

We will give a 100% refund on cancellations in the first week of the course. We will give a 30% refund if after the first week you decide you don’t want to continue for any reason. After the first week we can discuss a refund, or transfer you to a later course under special circumstances, such as illness. It is our policy to extend the greatest possible flexibility to students under these circumstances.

If a student, due to some unavoidable circumstances, is unable to take up the module, s/he should inform our secretary at secretary@bhaktivedantacollege.com during the first 7 days of any module to be transferred to the same module for its next scheduled delivery.

After 7 days, if we don’t get any statement from the student, it is considered that s/he has taken the course and transferring is not possible anymore. Postponing of one module can be made for two consecutive deliveries. After that, new full payment for that particular module is required for continuation of studies.

The administration fee of 25 EUR (for Bhaktivaibhava course 100 EUR) is applied to students who, in agreement with our secretary and in line with our refund and postponing policies, have to take a course or exam for the second time. If the student is just submitting the missing parts, from the moment we confirm the acceptance of the fee the student has 2 weeks time frame to do it and inform secretary about it.

IMPORTANT: in the box ‘Special instructions’ on Paypal payment page you MUST write your BCOC username and course/module name for which you are re-taking the exam.

Please make a payment for the administration fee using the Paypal button.

If you don’t have a Paypal account, please use the following bank details:

If a student strongly disagrees with the mark assigned by the tutor for any of the components (which are not automatically marked by the system), s/he can ask for the monitoring procedure:

1. another BC tutor in the role of a monitor marks the component and suggests the change to the original tutor
2. if monitor and tutor agree on the mark (new one or the same), that mark is final
3. if monitor and tutor do not agree on the mark, external monitor is invited to mark the component and that mark is final

A student cannot put another complaint about monitor’s or external monitor’s mark as these marks are final.

For extension of the deadline for taking the final exam, a tutor can approve maximum 2 weeks of extension based on reasons student provide in the extension form. It is not possible to give the extension for weekly assessments, but only for final assessment/s. Extension form is available upon request and it should be sent by email directly to the secretary. The extension request must be sent AT LEAST 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE of the deadline.

Requests for an extension are considered by the tutor, who will only grant an extension if there is a good basis for it. Claims should be accompanied by a valid medical certificate or other valid certified evidence. The tutor should agree and confirm the new deadline date for the student by email. Failure to do the final assessment before the deadline calls for the application of ‘Second attempt’ policy.

Examples of Acceptable Evidence in Support of an Extension

Medical
Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. We are unable to make allowances for minor illnesses. You are expected to plan your work and allow leeway to cope with minor misfortunes. Notes/letters from a doctor or nurse stating that the illness/ailment ‘may have an impact’ or which state ‘the patient informs me’ will not normally be accepted as valid evidence.

Practical Problems
The tutor will not take account of events such as car breakdowns, public transport delays, and computer breakdowns. For a submission deadline or an exam, you must allow extra time in the case such things happen. It is up to you to back up work on your computer.
One exception is a failure of Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus web-site. However, the failure has to be substantial, very close to the deadline, and documented by our technical department.

Other Obstacles
Students can face other obstacles while preparing for taking the final exam. If that is the case, it is up to the tutor to decide if the reason given by the student is acceptable for granting the extension or not.

You will find a commitment to providing you with extraordinary convenience, online tools and resources, and the opportunity to achieve your educational goals. You can count on an attractive and challenging curriculum in a supportive learning environment.

Each Bhakti-sastri course runs once a year and you can start with any of it. Bhaktivaibhava Course also runs once a year.
Other courses run multiple times per year:
– ISKCON Disciple Course – 3 times
– Bhakti Yoga for Beginners – 2-3 times depending on interest
– Thematic Bhagavad Gita – 2 times

You can enroll for any future course at any time. For the courses which already started, you can enroll 7 days into the course. If you are not able to enroll untill then, please contact our secretary to explain your situation and try to arrange later registration.
The list of all forthcoming courses is here.

Course materials are made accessible in batches on weekly basis. Students have the freedom to organize their time within each week at their own convenience – they can study at any time of the day, any day of the week, but also follow the deadlines given by the teachers.

After successfully completing the Bhakti Sastri program (six modules) students get Bhaktivedanta College electronic certificate and, if they desire, VTE diplomas. Students of other courses can receive a digital certificate of attendance upon request. For a hard copy, please follow the instructions available here.

You can register up to one week into the course. To register, please go to Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus, create a user account, choose the course you wish to attend and pay via PayPal for the automatic registration. If you don’t have a PayPal account, please contact our secretary who will give you instructions on how to make a bank transfer.